DETAILS
This outstanding Southern Mediterranean itinerary cruises from Malta to Sicily along two of Europe’s most dramatic coastlines, through the fabled Strait of Messina and the Tyrrhenian and Mediterranean Seas. En route, experience the rich history of Malta. Discover Sicily’s storied town of Taormina in the shadow of Mount Etna; Agrigento’s unforgettable Valley of the Temples; the exotic blend of African and Arab cultures in Tunisia; the archeological wonder of Carthage; the age-old beauty of Palermo; and the majesty of Syracuse, once the most powerful city of the ancient Greek world and today an open-air museum of monumental antiquities.
- Pricing from
- $4,995
Early booking discount of up to $4,200 per cabin. Contact 202-588-6300 for details.
- Trip Type
- Group Travel Tour, International Ocean & Sea Voyages
- Departure Dates
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May 10, 2023 - May 18, 2023
Pre-Program Option – Malta
May 8 to 11, 2023
Enhance your Mediterranean cruise experience with a two-night immersion on the island of Malta, considered one of the most concentrated historic areas in the world. Walk the medieval streets of the beautifully preserved, UNESCO-inscribed town of Valetta, built by the Knights of the Order of St. John in the late 16th century. Visit the Lower Barrakka Gardens for a breathtaking panorama of the Grand Harbor and the Grandmaster’s Palace. Explore the stunning 16th century Casa Rocca Piccola, home of the Marquis De Piro family. This private visit will be led by one of the family members. Visit St. John’s Co-Cathedral, a Baroque masterpiece built from local marble, and at UNESCO-inscribed Hagar Qim, visit the Palace of the Inquisitor and the Tarxien Temples. Accommodations are in the five-star Grand Hotel Excelsior Malta.
Price per person, based on double occupancy: $695 Price per person, based on single occupancy: $945
CANCELLATION FEES: Final payment due at least 95 days prior to departure. Cancellation fees and penalties apply as follows:
| PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
96 days or more prior* 95-61 days prior 60-45 days prior 44-0 days prior |
FEE
Full refund 50% of program price 75% of program price 100% of program price |
*In the event of a cancellation between 45 and 95 days prior to departure, the refund will be by credit, usable on a future Gohagan & Company trip which commences on or before December 31, 2023. In addition, for all bookings, any applicable airline cancellation fees, optional excursion cancellation fees and administrative fees may apply. Click here for more information.
TOUR MAP
ITINERARY
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day 1 & 2
Depart the U.S. for Valletta, Malta/Embark Le Bougainville
Depart home city and arrive the next day in Valleta, Malta.
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day 3
Porto Empedocle for Agrigento, Sicily
Visit Agrigento’s UNESCO World Heritage-designated Valley of the Temples. Here, see eight Doric shrines dating from the fifth century B.C. including the Temple of Juno, the Temple of Concordia, and the Sanctuary of the Chthonic Deities. Enjoy the Captain’s Welcome Reception this evening.
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day 4
Tunis, Tunisia for Carthage
Arrive in Tunis and transfer to the UNESCO World Heritage Roman site of Carthage to visit the Baths of Antonino, the ancient theater, and the Punic ports where Carthaginian fleets once took shelter. Discover the magnificent Moorish village of Side Bou Said and enjoy a lunch in a local restaurant. Return to Tunis for a tour of its Old Town—a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, small shops, majestic mosques, palaces, and colorful markets.
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day 5
Trapani, Sicily
Drive to Segesta and see the ancient Doric Temple. Visit the medieval town of Erice, set atop a hill and accessible via cable car. Enjoy panoramic views and marvel at the Norman Venus Castle.
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day 6
Palermo
Visit Palermo’s traditional Sicilian Old Quarter, Quattro Canti, baroque square, and 12th‑century Duomo. At the Capo market, see and taste famous Palermo street food and admire colorful stalls displaying an abundance of produce, seafood, and meats. This afternoon, drive up the hillside and visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the remarkable Cathedral of Monreale.
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day 7
Reggio, Calabria/Naxos for Taormina
Cruise through the Strait of Messina before arriving in Reggio Calabria to visit the National Archaeological Museum, which houses the Riace Bronzes, a pair of ancient, life‑size Greek statues. After lunch, arrive in Giardini Naxos and then visit Taormina, an ancient village on the top of a cliff above the Ionian Sea. Visit the Greco-Roman Theater, the Corvaia Palace, Odeon, and the Corso Umberto.
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day 8
Syracuse
In Syracuse, visit the Altar of Hieron II, a monument dedicated to Zeus; Dyonisios’ Ear; the Roman Amphitheater; and the Greek Theater. Transfer to the island of Ortygia, Syracuse’s maritime heart, where the Temple of Apollo stands in the remains of Piazza Pancali. See the city’s Baroque cathedral incorporating the ruins of a fifth‑century B.C. temple dedicated to the goddess Athena. At the Piazza Archimede, view the Baroque-style Fountain of Diana. Enjoy the afternoon at leisure. Tonight, see an authentic folklore show on deck and attend the Captain’s Farewell Reception and Dinner.
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day 9
Valletta, Malta/ Disembark ship/ Return to home city
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home.
Everything you need to know about the tour
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